A smart and sexy romantic comedy that can truly be enjoyed by both genders
Now problems do arise, especially with the finale, which dives into a predictable and very sappy area. The film also does feel a bit contrived at times and you’ll find youself in familiar territory on more than a few instances. And it’s a shame, because for a while it seems like the film is going to sidestep those issues that plauge most romantic comedies. For a while it feels fresh and new. But by the end, we’ve entered cliche city and it does hurts the film. Lastly, Emma’s character is a bit underdeveloped, which is in no part Portman’s fault, rather its due to some weak scripting in that regard. These problems are only minor hiccups though in what is otherwise an above average romantic comedy.
While it’s not without problems, No Strings Attached is a romantic comedy worth watching, and that’s saying a lot. Every member of the cast lights up the screen with humor and charm and there are a lot of genuinely funny moments. A sappy ending and some predictable narrative choices weigh things down but ultimately, director Ivan Reitman comes up with one of his best films in years. It’s a witty, watchable and raunchy comedy that gives both Kutcher and Portman a chance to shine and show off their comedic talents. More importantly, it’s worth a watch for both girls and guys.
While it’s not without problems, No Strings Attached is a romantic comedy worth watching, and that’s saying a lot. Every member of the cast lights up the screen with humor and charm and there are a lot of genuinely funny moments.
Adam, having recently got out of a relationship, and Emma who recently started working at the hospital, decide that relationships complicate things so agree to just be friends with benefits
No matter the type of journey, rom-coms follow the same pattern: meet-cute, have fun together, disruption/problem occur, time passes, then they meet again, realise they love each other and get together again.
No Strings Attached tries to deviate from usual rom-com routine but unfortunately the final conclusion still remains the same. Natalie Portman plays Emma, an emotionally unavailable woman who doesn’t understand the need to be in a relationship when you can just have fun and be happy. Ashton Kutcher’s character, Adam, is the opposite, but desperate to be with Emma he agrees to a no strings attached/friends with benefits/fun buddies/sex buddies/f**k buddies relationship.
No Strings Attached opens strong by showing us the first time Emma and Adam meet as teenagers at a summer camp, and shortly after we cut to a scene five years later when they finally meet again. After a series of random meets they exchange numbers, and on an alcoholic fuelled night out Adam drunk dials Emma and wakes up in on her sofa naked, only modestly covered by a tea towel.
However as time goes by they find themselves falling in love with each other and Adam must convince Emma that a relationship is worth the risk
The problem is that even if it wasn’t a rom-com with preview screenings over Valentine’s Day, everyone sat in the cinema already knows the outcome. It simply isn’t possible to have a lasting friends with benefits relationship. It can work for a short amount of time, ie between relationships or whenever they’re in town. Even if you go into the relationship with no romantic feelings for the other person as time goes by you either realise that kind of person they are and terminate the relationship, or start to develop feelings for them.